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Casillas: I can hold off De Gea

Date published: Wednesday 27th May 2015 12:01

Casillas has been whistled by sections of the Madrid crowd this season unhappy with his performances, but the Spain goalkeeper has no desire to leave the club this summer and believes he can keep his place as No.1, despite the likely arrival of De Gea from Manchester United.

“I want to face the season with the belief I have always had over the years, that’s the passion for this position that I have,” he told Cadena SER. “I’ll be in this goal next season and I do not imagine leaving the Real Madrid.

“I would hold off another goalkeeper because I am competitive. But there will never be a problem between myself and Real Madrid.

“I’m delighted with the competition. There’s no clause in my contract which says I have to start, I have to compete and fight. I would like to finish my career here, to win titles.

“What I want and desire is for the good of those who come to the Santiago Bernabeu, the people who call this club their home. It’s not the typical brown-nosing flattery, it is the truth.”

Casillas also insists he has no issue with Real’s pursuit of De Gea and is confident the 24-year-old can prove a success back in La Liga.

“De Gea is an awfully nice guy and I’m used to his presence,” Casillas added.

“We have talked with the national team, we don’t have a very close relationship but we have always got on really well. As a goalkeeper it’s clear, he has the future ahead of him. People are talking about David and others, if finally he comes he will be well received, we will help him, we will help each other in what we’re lacking and we will have to compete like we compete in the national team.

“Yes, I think [he can handle the pressure]. No disrespect to Atletico Madrid, which is obviously a great club, but Manchester United are a bigger club, and I’m sure his time at United will have served as a wonderful experience.”